Try the Y Tuesdays – All Month Long
Discover all you can do at the Y. We’re opening our doors every Tuesday in January for FREE. All month long, you’re invited to enjoy our pools, state-of-the art fitness center, gymnasium, cycle studio, group exercises and more! It’s absolutely FREE. There’s no obligation to join. No fees to pay. Enjoy fun and healthy activities, make new friendships and discover ALL that the Y offers.

Something for Everyone – Early & Late Spring Programs at the Y
Spring into action with Early & Late Spring programs at the Y. Registration for Early Spring Programs opens on February 1st for YMCA members, and February 5 for nonmembers. Early Spring programs begin the week of February 22^nd.

• Learn to swim – swimming lessons for all ages including Parent & Child classes
• Lifeguard Training Certification Classes
• Sports Leagues – Basketball, Soccer, Flag Football
• School Vacation Week Programs
• Adult Sports Leagues – Pick-Up Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball
• Music and Creative Arts programs
• Summer Camp – Day Camps and Overnight Camp
• Personal Training and Small Group Training

Visit wsymca.org to download a copy of our Early & Late Program Spring Guide, or stop by the Y and we can help you register.

Livestrong at the YMCA
The West Suburban YMCA is now offering LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a 12 week program that helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals. This research-based program offers those living with, through and beyond cancer a safe, empowering environment to participate in activities focused on strengthening the whole person. Participants work with specially trained Y staff to achieve goals such as building muscle mass and strength, increasing flexibility and endurance and improving confidence and self-esteem. In addition to physical benefits, the program also focuses on the emotional well-being of survivors and their families by providing a supportive “community” where people impacted by cancer can connect during treatment and beyond. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is free for participants and their families.

For more information, including how to participate in our pilot program that begins on Monday, February 1^st and runs on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:15 – 2:30 pm for 12 weeks, please contact Jane Carroll at 617-244-650 x3007.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs
The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is our mission to never turn anyone away due to their inability to pay. Please contact our Membership Department at 617-244-6050 x3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Lisa LaVallee
Marketing & Communications Director
WEST SUBURBAN YMCA
276 Church Street, Newton, MA 02458
(P) 617-244-6050 x3036  (F) 617-964-8472

Happy New Year
I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break. At Lincoln-Eliot we got right back into the swing of things the first week back after the winter break. In January we welcome new Lincoln-Eliot families as the start of the school year begins at different times across the globe and there is often movement within the United States.

SAVE THE DATE
January 25th (8:30-9:30 a.m.)
PTO Meeting with Superintendent David Fleishman and School Committee Members: We want to hear from you! Please join Superintendent David Fleishman and members of the Newton School Committee for their annual visit to our school. The meeting will include a brief update on district initiatives, followed by an interactive session to answer your questions and listen to feedback. Light refreshments will be served.

Massachusetts Cultural Arts STARS Residency Grant
Remember the morning of December 4th when you were greeted by drums upon entering the school? They were the Crocodile River Music musicians. This program was such a huge success with the children. The musicians received a standing ovation when they went into the cafeteria to pick up their lunch mid-day. Lincoln-Eliot School received a grant from the Mass Cultural Arts Council to bring Crocodile River Music back for 2 additional drum and movement workshops for grades 1-5 on January 28th and 29th. Stay tuned for highlights.

Potato Hill Poetry
January also brings L-E’s favorite poet Andy Green (Potato Hill Poetry) back to work with grades 2, 4, & 5. This is an annual CASC program that provides a yearly enrichment opportunity over a few years for our students. Andy immerses the students in writing poetry across the grades. See the attached flyer for more details.

Crocodile River Music and Potato Hill Poetry are two of the wonderful programs supported by your PTO contributions.

Traffic and Safety –  (I need your help!)
We need everyone’s cooperation to keep morning drop off and afternoon pick up safe for pedestrians and drivers. With the cold winter weather we are seeing more cars using the Blue Zone on Jackson Road.

Please remember:

• Jackson Road is a Blue Zone (a live drop-off area). Lincoln-Eliot staff will be curbside to greet and open car doors for students. In order to create an efficient system, please have your children ready to exit the car on the curbside. Parents will not be allowed to stop, exit the car, and walk their children to the door in the Blue Zone. Children must be ready to hop out of the car. This is a “live drop-off area” only. If you would like to walk your child to their classroom, please park in a designated zone.
• We need to unload as many cars as possible quickly so pull as far forward as possible. DO NOT STOP close to the corner near the fire hydrant. This causes a back-up of cars up into the intersection at the light.
• PLEASE only cross Jackson at the light and crossing guard. It is too dangerous with all the traffic to cross from Capital. Staying safe is worth the extra steps and it teaches your child pedestrian safety.
• Thank you in advance for working together on this. It may take a few extra minutes but your family’s safety is our only concern.

Family Science Night
SAVE THE DATE- Tues. February 23rd.
Lincoln-Eliot is excited to host our second Family Science Night. We are moving into the gym this year to allow for more space based on last year’s participation. We hope every child (and family) work on a science project. Family Science Night is not a competition. Students may work independently, with a partner, or with their family. All participants receive a participation medal. See the attached flyer for details.

Highlights from Classrooms – Spotlight on ELL!
Happy New Year! ELL students continue to listen, speak, read, and write in English in Kindergarten through Grade 5. This month, Kindergartners are becoming readers! Grade 1 is working on sequencing events in a story. Grade 2 is learning about poetry and practicing questions to ask the visiting poet, Andy Green. Grade 2 and Grade 3 have started an information writing unit. Grade 4 is learning new vocabulary and concepts related to the Civil Rights Movement. Grade 5 continues to work on constructive conversation skills, summaries, and research writing related to their unit on survival. All ELL students will also be taking the ACCESS test this month. This year the listening, reading, and speaking parts of the test will be done on computers. Students will practice before the test later this month. Students are excited about this new way to take their annual English language test.

Attention 5th Grade Parents!!
We need your photos! We’re on our way to making the 5th grade yearbook!  If you haven’t sent in photos, there is still time!

What we need:

1. One baby photo of your child
2. Candid photos from field trips, dances, performances, in-class presentations, etc.

Please make sure that your candid school photos are labeled with the grade or year they were taken.  Digital photos can be sent to Andrea at ahemment@gmail.com. Need your photos scanned?  Please contact Miriam at Miriam.alandydy@gmail.com.  All

Community News

Grandparents Raising or Helping to Raise Their Grandchildren
Tuesday, January 12
7:00 – 8:15PM
Education Center (Room 304), 100 Walnut Street, Newton, MA 02458

You are not alone! Meet other grandparents in a similar situation, discuss the joys and challenges of grandparenting and hear what resources may be available to you and your family.

Special guest speaker, Dr Maxine Weinreb, Ed.D, is a psychologist, family therapist, and mental health counselor. Maxine will talk about her work as a consultant to the Children Witness to Violence Project and answer questions about the trauma that grandchildren may have experienced.

For more information or if you need free child care on this night, please contact Beverly 617.559.2062 Beverly_mobilia@newton.k12.ma.us

The City of Newton’s 48th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration –
Monday, January 18
10:00AM
Our Lady of Help Christians Parish, 573 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02458

Program will include performances by Newton’s All City Treble Singers and the Harambee Gospel Choir from Newton South, Essay Readings by student representatives from Bigelow, F.A. Day, and Newton North HS, and the Love Tones from Myrtle Baptist Church.

““It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”- Confucius

Highlights from Classrooms – Spotlight on Art!
Greetings from the art room where we have been having fun creating with some new materials and getting ready for exhibits.

First, thanks to DonorsChoose.org, we have received a classpack of 5×7 Gelli plates! Gelli plates are rubber printing plates that allow students to explore color mixing and composition while making beautiful multi-layered prints. Fourth and fifth grade students have been using the plates to make collagraph prints, which are prints made using the impression of a textured collage. Our inspiration was Romare Bearden’s collage work depicting Jazz musicians of the Harlem Renaissance. We thought about the ways visual art and music both have the ability to express a mood or feeling. We listened to Billie Holiday and Dizzy Gillespie as we created our tiny collaged musicians and their musical instruments.

Printing our characters was tricky and required a great deal of trial and error. Students worked hard to find ways to roll out just the right amount of ink, and to compose a balanced, expressive image on the Gelli plate. It was exciting to see students refuse to give up, despite making a few disappointing prints, and ultimately have success.

Additionally, a dedicated group of fifth grade students have volunteered to join the new Art Exhibit Team. Two Tuesdays a month, we will be uploading photographs of finished student work to Lincoln-Eliot’s Artsonia online art gallery, and preparing and hanging exciting new displays in the hallway. You will be notified by email if a piece of your student’s work appears on Artsonia. If you have not registered your child on Artsonia, send me an email at Jennifer_Sutherland@newton.k12.ma.us and I will send you a link.

Home Alone Safety Course
There will be a Home Alone Safety Class offered through Newton Community Education at Lincoln Eliot on Tuesday, January 5 from 12:45-2:45pm. This class is for 3rd-5th graders.
Description: Take the first steps towards independence. Learn telephone and door-answering techniques, accident and fire protection, first aid techniques, and all about Internet safety. We’ll talk about how to manage your time when you’re home alone for short amounts of time, watch an instructional video, and explore scenarios through role-playing.
Please take advantage of this opportunity for your child. The link for registration through Newton Community Education is:
https://registration.xenegrade.com/nce/coursedisplay.cfm?schID=7762

The course fee is $45, however please contact Ms. Uretsky if you need financial assistance or have any questions.

Attention 5th Grade Parents
We need your photos! We’re on our way to making the 5th grade yearbook! If you haven’t sent in photos, there is still time!

What we need:

1. One baby photo of your child
2. Candid photos from field trips, dances, performances, in-class presentations, etc.

Please make sure that your candid school photos are labeled with the grade or year they were taken. Digital photos can be sent to Andrea at mailto:ahemment@gmail.com. Need your photos scanned? Please contact Miriam at Miriam.alandydy@gmail.com. All photos are due by January 16, 2016.

Fall Autumn Fest
Our Fall Autumn Fest Concert was held on Wednesday November 25^th. The sweet voices of the Lincoln-Eliot students filled the hall. Thank you to Ms. Devon Nelson for all her hard work with our students to bring them to this performance so early in the school year. Thank you to the families who were able to attend. The children were so proud to share their voices and learning with you.

PARCC Assessment Results
This week, individual student reports from last spring’s PARCC assessment were mailed home from the Ed Center. Last year, Newton chose to pilot the PARCC assessment to learn how our curriculum is aligned with the Common Core standards and to learn more about this new test. Schools had the option of administering the test on a computer or with the standard paper/pencil format. Lincoln-Eliot chose the paper/pencil format as we felt learning about the new test was a learning experience in itself and the computer administration would involve a second unknown dimension.

We are just beginning to examine the results of the PARCC test at the school and district level. At first glance, Lincoln-Eliot students performed well and in a very similar fashion to the former MCAS results. In English Language Arts and Math, we scored significantly higher than the state averages. In English Language Arts, we outperformed the district in grades 3, 4, and 5. In Math, we scored above the district in grade 3 and slightly below in grades 4 & 5. Lincoln-Eliot met our Gap Narrowing Goals and scored in the “highest performing percentile” in our accountability rating. Although we are very happy with our performance, we are still analyzing what the data means and how it compares to former MCAS assessments and district benchmark assessments.

Recently the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to transition to a new assessment called the MCAS 2.0 that will begin the spring of 2017. The MCAS 2.0 will be a hybrid of the Massachusetts MCAS and the PARCC tests. It will be more closely aligned with our own Massachusetts standards and accountability system. This upcoming spring, Newton elementary schools will once again administer the PARCC assessments to continue to pilot this test in English Language Arts and Math in grades 3, 4, & 5. Fifth graders will continue to take the MCAS Science test. (PARCC does not have a science component.)
We will keep you updated as we continue to learn more about the PARCC results and the future of the state assessment system.

Holiday Season is Upon Us
I hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday. At Lincoln-Eliot we have already begun to hear talk and feel the excitement of the Christmas and Chanukah holidays ahead. At school we focus on our curriculum and do not spend classroom time celebrating the religious holidays. But, the excitement is too much for children to keep bottled inside and conversations arise at snack, in the lunchroom, and at recess. It is interesting to listen to the children’s questions, wonders, and hopes. We are a very diverse community and families celebrate a variety of holidays and even the same holidays in very different ways. Please talk with your children about how people have different traditions, customs, and beliefs. Although we don’t celebrate in the same way, we respect others’ beliefs and traditions. Please share how the holidays are special for all of us, in our own way and we want to keep them magical for all.

PTO Meeting
Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8 (8:30-9:15am) in the Library. Topics for discussion include playground follow-up, January Family Science Night and Spring fundraising.

Highlights from Classrooms – Spotlight on Music

From Ms. Nelson:
It was a pleasure to have many of you join us for the fourth annual Autumn Music Festival at Lincoln Eliot.  It was a crowded event – both for the 9:00 and 10:00 programs, but we were thrilled to share what we’ve been working on in music this fall.

Third graders shared the first songs they learned on their recorders and were so excited to bring them home for the first time. The Fourth and Fifth graders complimented each other well in the rounds they sang together, as well as enthusiastically singing grade level specific songs.

The Second and First graders enjoyed adding some instrumental accompaniment to their songs on the xylophones, drums and jingle bells.  Many Kindergarteners had the experience of performing in front of an audience for the very first time.  My personal favorite part was when students of all ages joined together to sing.

The Third, Fourth and Fifth graders shared Over the River and Through the Woods, and the Kindergarten, First and Second graders sang their rendition of Raffi’s All I Really Need. For students, a shared performance opportunity brings their community together and adds the valuable experience of learning to be a confident performer and a respectful audience member.  What better way to kick off the holiday season than by gathering together to share in the joy of music?

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

A big thank you to all students and parents who walked/biked to school last week! Those that participated added a feather to our Thanksgiving turkey that was hung on the Jackson Road door. It looked great! Lincoln-Eliot families were also very generous with food donations and The Newton Center was very thankful. It is great to see our community give back to those in need.

Home Alone Safety Class – January 5 from 12:45-2:45pm

There will be a Home Alone Safety Class offered through Newton Community Education at Lincoln Eliot on Tuesday, January 5 from 12:45-2:45pm. This class is for 3rd-5th graders.

Description: Take the first steps towards independence. Learn telephone and door-answering techniques, accident and fire protection, first aid techniques, and all about Internet safety. We’ll talk about how to manage your time when you’re home alone for short amounts of time, watch an instructional video, and explore scenarios through role-playing.

Please take advantage of this opportunity for your child.  The link for registration through Newton Community Education is:

https://registration.xenegrade.com/nce/coursedisplay.cfm?schID=7762

The course fee is $45, however please contact Ms. Uretsky if you need financial assistance or have any questions.

Hi Lincoln-Eliot families,

It’s not too late to get the flu shot! A family flu clinic is being held tomorrow, December 1, from 4-6pm at the Newton Free Library. Additional details can be found in the flyer below:

Dec 1 Family Clinic Flyer.pdf

Stay healthy!
Mrs. U

Autumn Music Festival:
This Wednesday, Nov. 25th is our All School Music Concert. Please come to see the Lincoln-Eliot students perform autumn songs to celebrate their work during first quarter of the year. Under the direction of our music teacher, Devon Nelson, all grade levels will perform. We have divided the concert into two groups:

• Grades 3-5 will perform from 9:00-9:40am
• Grades K-2 will perform from 10-10:40am

All families are welcome!

REMINDER: Wednesday, Nov. 25th is a 12:00 RELEASE for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Classes resume on Monday, Nov. 30th. Have a wonderful holiday with your friends and families.

PTO Dues Donation Form:
This year, the PTO will spend more than $150 on each student. In years past, the funds have been used to sponsor creative arts and sciences programs, field trips and community events. Please see :

Creative Arts and Sciences Programs

• All Grades Concert Series – “Journey into Jazz”
• All Grades – Mass Water Resource Association Program
• Gr. 3 – The Tree Guy
• Gr. K, 2, & 5 – CAP Program (Child Abuse Prevention Program)

Field Trips

• Kindergarten Field Trip to the Children’s Museum
• Gr. 1, 3 & 4 Field Trip to Jackson Homestead
• Gr. 2 Field Trip to the Science Museum
• Gr. 3 Field Trip to Arnold Arboretum
• Gr. 5 Camp Trip

Thanksgiving Schedule for After School Programs:
Just a quick reminder that on Wednesday, November 25, the Lincoln-Eliot office will close at 12:30 PM (students will be dismissed at 12 PM) and Plowshares will close at 3 PM. The building will be closed and not available during the Thanksgiving holiday – Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27. Lincoln-Eliot will operate on a normal schedule starting Monday, November 30.

We love science!

Kindergarten students are building on their understanding of plant life cycles and the needs of living things. They are currently growing bulbs in our classroom. Students are exploring the needs of living things and learning the structures and behaviors that allow them to survive. They are also conducting experiments to see what happens if they remove one essential component- will the bulb still grow? For example, what will happen if we give bulb #1 milk instead of water? They are currently in the process of collecting their data.

Highlights from Classrooms – Spotlight on Kindergarten!

Thank you to all of the teachers and staff members who helped in delivering the Understanding Our Differences Curricula to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes over the past few weeks. All of the students learned a bit about Chronic Medical Conditions, and were exposed to a lot of helpful information. One grade was also lucky enough to have a class mate speak and it was fantastic!

A special thanks to the following parent volunteers, who along with the classroom teachers and city-wide volunteers, made the program run smoothly: Miriam Alandydy, Beth Ball, Margaret Murphy-Smith, Jaqueline O’Neill, Carole Pelon, Mike St. Germain, Rebecca Schmidt and Mimoza Shabani. The program wouldn’t work without the help of the parents. We are always looking for new faces, and are still in search of a parent co-coordinator, so please let me know if you are interested at ccanhc@gmail.com

We look forward to returning with new Units in the Spring. Stay warm everyone!

Halloween Dance:
The event raised $4,440 and it was great to see everyone come out to have fun and support LE! Funds from the Halloween Dance help pay for the Art and Science Enrichment Programs that PTO brings to our school.

Thank you’s to: Carol and Noah Pelon, Graig Dudman, Carly Semerjian, Michelle and Dru Freedman, Karen Hite, Siobhan Wheeler, Nora Zizlsperger, Holly Georgiadis, Tere Carmona, Jazmin and Ernesto Brau, Debbie Ruiz, Patty Tully, Miriam Alandydy, Jenn Rogan, Lucy Poria, Mike Wheeler, Lupe Gueye, Bobbi Fisch-Bethoney, Barbara Stern and Heather Keller.

Turkey Trot (walk or bike) to School:
This Friday, 11/20, we encourage all students to walk or bike to school. This week, put your name/grade on a feather (in your classroom) and see how big our window turkey will be. Please bring a canned and/or boxed food item for the Newton Food Pantry.  All items are accepted to help local families!

PTO Dues Donation Form:
This year, the PTO will spend more than $150 on each student. In years past, the funds have been used to sponsor creative arts and sciences programs, field trips and community events. Please see the attached flyer to read how you can contribute and make a difference at Lincoln-Eliot!

Highlights from Classrooms – Spotlight on Grade 1

We are loving science!
The first grade terrarium habitats have arrived and the students are loving learning about the many living organisms that can be found right in our own backyards! The classes each have their own terrarium and are working together to keep the living things alive and thriving. The terrarium habitat consists of:

• Soil
• Pieces of a rotting log
• Moss
• Millipedes
• Bess beetles
• Pill bugs
• Tenebrio beetles

Through this unit, students are developing an understanding of what all living things need to survive: food, shelter, moisture, and protection. Students have been observing the different living things and comparing how they are similar and how they are different. They are able to distinguish whether or not the living things are classified as insects, based on the following qualifications for insects: 3 body parts (head, thorax, abdomen); six legs, two eyes, and antennae. Students are learning from various non-fiction texts, gaining understanding from the text, photographs, and diagrams.

We are loving having our bugs here in grade one!

Community News

The Secret Life of a Massachusetts Teen, Thursday, November 19, 7:00 pm, Druker Auditorium: Do you wonder…What teens are really thinking? Why they don’t share their fears? How we can better support teens? How we can become better parents? This is a high-energy presentation for that actively focuses on what teens are really thinking, what they fear, why they do not share their fears, and how parents can more effectively support their teen.

This presentation will cover areas such as acting out behaviors, drug and alcohol use, depression, suicide, and more. The workshop will be facilitated by Jon Mattleman, a mental health counselor and trainer with 30 years of experience working with youth, parents, and families. This event is cosponsored by Newton Youth Services and Newton Cares.  Please register online at [ http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net/ ]www.newtonfreelibrary.net.

THE HALLOWEEN DANCE WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!
Thank you to all families that attended. We hope it was a spooky good time! Several individuals played a role in making sure the event went off without a hitch: Carol and Noah Pelon, Carly Semerjian, Michelle and Dru Freedman, Karen Hite, Siobhan Wheeler, Nora Zizlsperger, Holly Georgiadis, Tere Carmona, Jazmin and Ernesto Sr Brau, Debbie Ruiz, Patty Tully, Miriam Alandydy, Jenn Rogan and Lucy Poria. Thank you for all you do for Lincoln-Eliot!

COOLER WEATHER IS COMING AND OUR LOST AND FOUND IS GROWING!
With the cooler weather, children will be coming to school with jackets, hats and gloves. PLEASE mark ALL outerwear with names so we can return them. It is also helpful to label lunch boxes. The lost and found is located in a  barrel outside of the gym.  AS A REMINDER: The online portion of the Meadow farms fundraiser is open until December 14. A nice way to take care of holiday shopping!

Highlights from Classrooms – Spotlight on Grade 5!
Reading & Writing Workshops: In reading, we have reviewed comprehension strategies (connections, asking questions, inferences, sensory images)
while teaching students the reading routines we use over the course of the year. In writing, we
have been studying the art of creating personal narratives. From generating stories that really
matter to new elaboration techniques, we have been working with students to hone their craft.

Math: We are currently working on multiplication with whole numbers and decimals. Students will use what they’ve learned to find the area of rectangles and other polygons that can be split into rectangles. In addition, students will use the skills to solve multistep word problems that focus on conversions (i.e. feet to inches, pounds to ounces, meters to centimeters.)

Science: During our pond life session, students learned about differences between lakes and ponds, pond habitats, life in a drop of pond water, microorganisms, food chains and webs, and the complicated ecosystems of New England ponds. Social Studies: In our current unit, students reviewed basic map skills. We then researched and compared how the environment in differing geographical locations affected the way native peoples in the Arctic (Inuit), on the Plains (Sioux) and in the islands (Taino) lived long ago.

Newton Parks and Recreation has several upcoming programs that we would like you to post in your newsletters.

December Vacation Camp at Lower Falls Community Center for children in grades K-6.  It’s like summer camp in the winter.  Participate in sports, arts and crafts, inside games and more at the Lower Falls Community Center.  Each day features an exciting special event.  Sign up by day or for all 4 days at www.activityreg.com  Standard and extended day options are available.  Be sure to send a snack and lunch each day.

December Vacation Thundercat Sports Clinic at Pellegirini Park for children ages 6 – 12.  Play a variety of sports including basketball, floor hockey, soccer, dodgeball and more all in a relaxed, fun atmosphere.  Located at Pellegrini Park.  Sign up by day or for all 4 days at www.activityreg.com   Be sure to bring a snack and lunch.

Newton Parks and Recreation is hosting a special Family Jump Night at Launch Watertown on December 28^th.  This special Family Jump Night is a fundraising event to benefit the Newton Parks and Recreation Camp Scholarship Fund.  Jump for one hour or jump for more!  The cost is $15.00 per hour per jumper.  Food and arcades games are available for an additional fee.  Register online with code Newton at www.launchwatertown.com to guarantee your admission or use the same code as a walk in (provided they have not reached attendance capacity).

The Newton South Recreation Complex offers a variety of classes for youth and adults.  All programs are held on Sundays and start on January 3^rd.  Pre-registration is required and can be done online at www.activityreg.com   Sign up for Engineering with Lego Minecraft, Quick Start Tennis, Cardio Tennis, Badminton Instruction, Family Badminton, Archery, Pickleball, Open Workout, Walking and Weights and more.

Newton North Indoor Recreation offers clinics, classes and lessons for youth and adults.  Sign up for lap swim, swim lessons, water safety instructor course, fitness training, full court basketball, smash volleyball, lacrosse, baseball hitting clinic and more at www.activityreg.com

SAVE THE DATE!  The Newton Parks and Recreation and Newton Public Schools Camp Fair will be held on Sunday January 31 from 12:00 – 4:00 at the Newton North High School in the Cafeteria.  Come see what is being offered in Newton for the Summer of 2016.

For more information on the programs listed above please contact

Newton Parks and Recreation
246 Dudley Rd, Newton, MA  02459
617-796-1500

www.newtonma.gov/gov/parks

online registration at www.activityreg.com

COOLER WEATHER IS COMING AND OUR LOST AND FOUND IS GROWING!
With the cooler weather, children will be coming to school with jackets, hats and gloves. PLEASE mark ALL outerwear with names so we can return them. It is also helpful to label lunchboxes. The lost and found is located in a barrel outside of the gym.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! EARLY RELEASE DAY THURSDAY, NOV. 5TH 12:30 DISMISSAL: Next Thursday is an early release day for Parent Conferences. If you have not been able to schedule a conference yet, please reach out to the classroom teacher or Jena Rossi in the office.

UNDERSTANDING OUR DIFFERENCES
Calling ALL parents! Volunteers are needed to assist with Understanding Our Differences on Friday, November 6, 10am-12pm (3rd grade) and 1-3pm (5th grade). You do not have to have a student in one of these grades to help out with this fantastic, engaging program.
For those parents in K-2, what better way to see what the higher grades have in store for your kids, and become involved in a program which makes a big difference in the lives of the students in terms of understanding the different challenges people have.
If interested, please contact Cathleen Morrison at ccanhc@gmail.com or 617-699-2977.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CLASSROOMS – SPOTLIGHT ON GRADE 4
Fourth grade students had the opportunity to travel to the Lowell Mills and participate in “Change in the Making,” a hands-on workshop and an interpretive tour of the Lowell Mills. The workshops and tour provided students with the opportunity to explore the many ways in which the Industrial Revolution significantly changed the way Americans worked, lived, and used the land. On the tour, students toured and discovered the unique resources of Lowell National Historical Park firsthand. The hands-on workshops complemented the tour by bringing the significance of these historic resources to life, as students explored different aspects of change as people and work moved from farm to factory.

On the tour, students heard the roar of the looms in the Boott Cotton Mills Museum weave room and visited the “Mill Girls and Immigrants” exhibit in the restored boardinghouse. In the workshops, students compared ginning cotton by hand and ginning cotton with a simple machine, became young farm and factory workers dressed in nineteenth-century clothing, and helped tell a multi-sensory story about changes in the use of the Merrimack River and the land surrounding it.

It was an amazing experience watching our students learn about this time period in our nation’s history through hands on activities, role plays, and viewing historical artifacts.

Fundraising

DONOR’S CHOOSE
Support our new teacher!
Ms. Bratslavskaya, Grade 5
My Project: A Space for Every Student
Total Cost: $611
TO GO: $119.00

My Project: I hope to empower my students to take risks and share their ideas in a comfortable and safe environment. A classroom carpet for our meeting/library area is a necessity for establishing a sense of community within our classroom. We will often begin our school day on our carpet to engage in a morning meeting. Students will gather on the carpet many times throughout the day for whole class mini lessons, partner work, group work, and independent work.

A comfortable meeting area is essential, as it would provide a space to develop trust and respect among my students.

Here, we will establish our classroom community by developing a “class contract” and allowing all students to feel that their voices have been heard. We will frequently use the carpet as a space to begin lessons, and engage in read alouds. This space will also serve as a cozy independent reading place, so my students will be able to engage in, visualize and fall in love with books.

Check out my classroom project!
http://www.donorschoose.org/MsBratslavskaya

PAINT BAR FUNDRAISER
The 5th Grade Committee is hosting a “Paint Bar” Fundraiser on November 19 at 6:30pm
Sign Up Now in 3 Easy Steps… 1. Register 2. Indicate that you are with the “Lincoln-Eliot Fundraiser” in the “Group Name” or “Friends I Want to Sit With” field on the registration page 3. Get ready to have a blast!

L-E PIZZA TUESDAYS!
From 12:15-1:00pm at the Jackson Road Entrance
– $2 per slice

Pizza is popular and disappears quickly! Avoid disappointment and pre-order your
whole pizzas by Mondays at Noon ($10.00 each).

Email Jenn- jrogan78@verizon.net to order!  Proceeds benefit the 5th Grade 2015 Graduating Class…We appreciate your support!

WATERTOWN SAVINGS BANK: CUSTOMER CHOICE AWARDS
VOTE FOR LINCOLN-ELIOT SCHOOL AS YOUR FAVORITE NON-PROFIT!
EVERY VOTE COUNTS!

Vote online at www.watertownsavings.com or cast a paper ballot.
Every year over the past twenty years, Watertown Savings Bank customers have voted for their favorite non-profits in our Customer Choice event. As a result, 75 local organizations have benefited and $915,500 has been distributed. This year the total will reach $990,500!
We are very proud of this program and the benefits it has brought to so many wonderful local non-profit organizations. To celebrate this important milestone we will be entering every customer who votes this year into a drawing to receive a $500 Amazon gift card.

Every qualified non-profit that receives at least 1% of the total votes cast within a calendar year will receive funds. The organization with the most votes will receive $5,000. Otherwise the dollars awarded are determined by the voting results, with a cap of $3,500. Anyone with an account at Watertown Savings Bank may vote and each person has one vote. (Beneficiaries are not considered account owners.)

Let us know your favorite local non-profit by using the ballot below or by voting online at www.watertownsavings.com. Deadline to vote is midnight, December 31, 2015.

AMAZON SHOPPERS
With the upcoming holiday season, don’t forget to access amazon.com through the PTO website. Our school receives up to 10% of all purchases simply purchased through this link.

STOP & SHOP
Don’t forget to register you Stop & Shop card for the Stop & Shop A+ Rewards! Great News! If you registered your card last year, it will re-register automatically! If you are new to the program, just log on to www.Stopandshop.com/aplus to register online. Our school ID is 05887. Or, dial 1-877-275-2758 to register your card over the telephone.